A MOMENT in time

Planning an intimate celebration? We’ve put together a how-to guide with all the latest advice and trends

As Pretty As A Flower

A smaller wedding with fewer guests can be a great way to reduce expenditure and free up money to spend exactly where you want too. Here are some top tips to consider when planning your wedding flowers: How do I choose a florist? Look at the work of florists local to your venue. By staying local, you’ll keep delivery costs to a minimum.

When do I book my florist? Ideally you should book 12 months before your wedding date. As with any wedding vendor, once you’ve found a company you like, a booking fee will usually save your date. If your wedding isn’t for another year or two, you can still secure your chosen florist; just don’t expect a full quote as soon as you book.

Should I have a Pinterest board? Yes, absolutely. A selection of pictures of flowers that you like is very informative; it can help you and your florist pick out styles, colours, and flower varieties.

I don’t want to spend lots, is that okay? If you want to keep everything on budget, then be honest with your supplier from the start. Your florist can help guide you and if you’re flexible on designs and flower varieties, they can suggest the best flowers for your budget.

Do I have to meet with my florist? Personally, I feel everyone should experience a bespoke design service. I like to get to know my clients, and face-to-face meetings are an excellent way to do this. In a meeting, I can learn so much more about a couple and sketch as we chat, showing how your bouquet will best accentuate your chosen dress or outfit; it’s a chance to offer ideas you may never have considered.

What price will my bouquet be? Many professional florists cannot give exact quotes years in advance. At the moment predicting price changes within the next six month is tricky! So, it’s important to select a florist who’s style you like and trust.

What designs should I have? If you’ve chosen to get married in a smaller venue, speak to your venue coordinator and florist about what will fit in the space. If it’s already a very ornate room, you possibly won’t need lots of flowers and extra accessories. Your florist will be able to advise the colours and designs to complement the features of your beautiful setting. Can I move all the designs from the ceremony area to the wedding breakfast? I see this being promoted a lot, and it’s an

Dreamy D Cor

Your nuptials should be all about you, and that should be reflected in every aspect of your design, no matter the size of your wedding. Every choice should encompass your personality and style, and it’s even easier to achieve this with an intimate wedding. Read my top tips for creating a space where your guests will feel comfortable and want to take photos with you in your beautifully decorated venue:

Start with deciding on your décor budget. This will help you and your stylist choose pieces and designs that fit within your budget, no matter if it’s big or small, you just need to have a number in mind when you start planning your wedding.

To create an impression on your guests you’ll need clever use of décor pieces, arrangements, styling and lighting. You want your venue to be an immersive and visually appealing space that transports your guests into your wedding world.

Creating a cohesive wedding theme and design that reflects you and your partner’s personalities is the key to creating a unique wedding. Let your wedding stylist guide you through the process of selecting a theme excellent way to save money. For instance, a design for your ceremony table can easily become your top-table design. However, some designs are not meant to be moved! If they must be moved, then expect to pay extra as they may have to be redesigned or re-engineered in some way to ensure stability whilst moving and repositioning. Speak to your florist to be clear about who is moving it and when. You don’t want the ushers ending up with vases full of water tipped down their suits!

Valerie from Flowers by Valerie Jayne www.flowersbyvaleriejayne.com

or vibe and creating a space that is truly reflective of who you are and how you want to celebrate your marriage. With a smaller space and fewer guests, you can personalise every detail in your venue; from hand-embroidered napkins and designer candles to statement floral centrepieces, these details will make your wedding stand out.

To ensure you work with a stylist that understands your vision, you’re going to need to book early. Book your wedding stylist anywhere from 12 to 18 months before your wedding date. This will allow time for venue visits together, to order bespoke décor and have design meetings.

Zayna from ZAZevents www.zazevents.co.uk

Planned To Perfection

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but hiring a wedding planner can alleviate the stress and ensure that your special day runs smoothly. If you’re considering hiring a wedding planner, there are several factors to keep in mind:

To start, it’s important to research and find someone who matches your style and budget. Look for a company with experience planning weddings similar to yours and positive reviews from previous clients.

Before booking, consider your vision, budget, and timeline. Having a clear idea of what you want for your big day, including the style, theme, and overall atmosphere, is crucial. Establishing a budget and communicating it to your planner will help you stay on track financially. Finally, make sure you have a timeline for your wedding and share it with your planner to ensure that everything is completed on time.

As you narrow down your list of potential planners, ask questions to determine if they’re the right fit for you. Ask about their availability on your date, their credentials and experience, and how they handle unforeseen issues on the day of the wedding.

Ideally, you should reach out to a wedding planner at least a year in advance of your wedding to allow enough time for planning. However, if you have a shorter timeline, don’t worry – many wedding planners can manage shorter planning schedules.

By hiring a wedding planner, you can ensure that your dream intimate wedding becomes a reality.

Kelly from Atelier Weddings www.atelierweddings.co.uk

Wow Your Guests

As a full-time, award-winning, professional wedding magician, I regularly meet with couples anxious about their wedding day entertainment, and I know how they feel, I felt the same way myself over the years helping to plan weddings and other events. At intimate weddings, it’s vital to ensure that the entertainment matches the intimacy. A professional wedding magician can deliver exactly that, breaking the ice and getting people to integrate, smile and laugh.

When is the best time to book? Once you have your date, venue and an estimate of people attending.

A Personal Touch

A benefit of lower guest numbers is having the potential to create a personal experience for everyone. Take the opportunity to create special touches such as:

Welcome bags or notes in the bedrooms.

Messages or memories on the reverse of place cards or at each place setting.

Video interviews/moments with each guest.

Full weekend plans such as having a meal together.

Organise group activities like challenges, walks or workshops. Be careful not to create stress and keep everything manageable and worthwhile. Pass on specific tasks to key people, so you can share the workload.

You will have the chance to chat with each guest in a small-scale event, and having personal touches may help people mingle and keep the flow going even if they don’t know each other that well.

Annabel from Weddings by Annabel www.weddingsbyannabel.co.uk

Is the magician suitable, friendly and on your wavelength? Will they fit in with your guests? Have they taken the trouble to talk with you about what you want and shown a genuine interest, or have they just given a price based on time and venue?

What are their contingencies if there’s a delay? For instance, I book by the event, not the hour.

Can they offer something more than walkabout and table magic? To most couples with a smaller, intimate wedding, the cost of a professional may seem high, but think of the benefits: the enjoyment of their guests, the laughter, smiles, the awesome photographs and of course the longterm memories.

Alex from Magical Excellence www.alexdfisher.co.uk